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Abstract:

A system and method for wireless streaming link break-in is disclosed. A
first device transmits digital packets to a second device over a wireless
streaming link. A third device synchronizes itself with the second
device. Once the third device is synchronized with the second device, the
third device transmits command request packets to the second device
during a data receive window. The wireless streaming link is inactive
during the data receive window. The second device responds to the request
during a next data receive window.

Claims:

1. A system comprising: a first device configurable to transmit a first
type of digital packets to a second device at a first rate utilizing a
synchronous communication link over a first group of frequency channels;
and a third device configurable to transmit a second type of digital
packets to the second device utilizing an asynchronous communication link
over a second group of frequency channels, wherein the first group of
frequency channels is non-overlapping with the second group of frequency
channels, and wherein the second device is configurable to listen for the
first type and the second type of digital packets.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second device is further
configurable to listen for the second type of digital packets at evenly
spaced intervals in time.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second device communicates with the
third device in a bidirectional manner.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first type of digital packets
includes digital audio data.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the second type of digital packets
includes digital control data.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first device is a device with data
streaming capabilities.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the second device is a hearing
prosthesis.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the third device is a remote control
that controls at least the second device.

9. A system comprising; a synchronous communication network in which a
second device receives digital signals at a first rate from a first
device; and an asynchronous communication network in which the second
device listens for digital requests at a second rate slower than the
first rate from a third device and in which the second device responds to
the digital requests.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the synchronous communication network
is one or more of a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), a slow
Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS), a Frequency Agility (FA), and a
Slow Frequency Agility (SFA) communications network.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the asynchronous communication network
is one or more of a slow Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS), a
Frequency Agility (FA), and a Slow Frequency Agility (SFA) communications
network.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the synchronous communication network
comprises one or more frequency channels.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the asynchronous communication
network comprises one or more frequency channels that are non-overlapping
with the synchronous communication network's one or more frequency
channels.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the synchronous communication network
includes a device streaming digital data signals to a sound processor
located in a hearing prosthesis.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the asynchronous communication network
includes a remote control communicating with a sound processor located in
a hearing prosthesis.

16. A method comprising: while a device is receiving digital data
transmissions in a first group of receive windows, sending request
packets to the device until receiving an acknowledgement signal from the
device; upon receiving the acknowledgement signal, sending a command
request in a second group of receive windows; and receiving a response to
the command request.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first group of receive windows
are spread across a first group of frequency channels and the second
group of receive windows are spread across a second group of frequency
channels.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first group of frequency channels
is non-overlapping with the second group of frequency channels.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the command request includes a
request for status and the response to the command request includes
status information.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the command request includes a
request to adjust settings and the response to the command request
includes status information regarding setting adjustments.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein sending the request packets includes
using a timing pattern designed to align with a timeslot not used for
reception of the digital data transmissions by the device.

24. The method of claim 16, wherein receiving the response to the command
request includes receiving the response to the command request in a next
data timeslot.

Description:

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to wireless streaming
links, and more particularly, relates to a system and method that allows
a device to break into communications over a wireless streaming link
between two other devices.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Wireless streaming link designs typically consist of multiple data
packets that are sent at a regular interval from a first device to a
second device. In order to minimize power consumption, the on-air time of
the link is not constant. Rather, when all data has been sent, the link
is inactive for a specific period of time. Once synchronized to the
stream, the second device listens for data packets at specific timeslots
on specified frequencies according to a streaming protocol. In some such
designs, beacons are transmitted by the second device in order to enable
a third device to synchronize with the second device.

SUMMARY

[0003] A system that allows for wireless streaming link break-in is
disclosed. In one example, the system includes a first device that is
configurable to transmit a first type of digital packets to a second
device at a first rate utilizing a synchronous communication link over a
first group of frequency channels. The system also includes a third
device that is configurable to transmit a second type of digital packets
to the second device utilizing an asynchronous communication link over a
second group of frequency channels. The first group of frequency channels
is non-overlapping with the second group of frequency channels. The
second device is configurable to listen for the first type and the second
type of digital packets.

[0004] In another example, the system includes a synchronous communication
network in which a second device receives digital signals at a first rate
from a first device. The system also includes an asynchronous
communication network in which the second device listens for digital
requests at a second rate slower than the first rate from a third device
and in which the second device responds to the digital requests.

[0005] A method that allows for wireless streaming link break-in is also
disclosed. While a device is receiving digital data transmissions in a
first group of receive windows, the method includes sending request
packets to the device until receiving an acknowledgement signal from the
device. Upon receiving the acknowledgement signal, the method includes
sending a command request in a second group of receive windows. The
method also includes receiving a response to the command request.

[0006] These as well as other aspects and advantages will become apparent
to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the following detailed
description, with reference where appropriate to the accompanying
drawings. Further, it is understood that this summary is merely an
example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as
claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Presently preferred embodiments are described below in conjunction
with the appended drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals refer
to like elements in the various figures, and wherein:

[0008]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system that allows for wireless
streaming link break-in, according to an example;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system including a hearing
prosthesis, according to an example;

[0010]FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method that allows for wireless
streaming link break-in, according to an example; and

[0011]FIG. 4 is a timing diagram for the method depicted in FIG. 3,
according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 100. The system 100 includes
a first device 102, a second device 104, and a third device 106. The
first device 102 uses a wireless streaming link 108 to transmit data to
the second device 104. The third device 106 uses a bidirectional
communication link 110 to communicate with the second device 104.

[0013] The first device 102 transmits data in a synchronous manner to the
second device 104 over the wireless streaming link 108. The data may be
streamed as digital packets over one or more frequency channels. The
digital packets may include digital audio data. The synchronous
communication network formed by the first device 102, the wireless
streaming link 108, and the second device 104 may be a Time Division
Multiple Access (TDMA), a slow Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS),
a Frequency Agility (FA), a Slow Frequency Agility (SFA) communications
network, or other appropriate network type.

[0014] The second device 104 communicates with the third device 106 over
the bidirectional communication link 110 in an asynchronous manner. Data
may be transmitted over the bidirectional communication link 110 as
digital packets over one or more frequency channels. The digital packets
may include digital control data. The asynchronous communication network
formed by the second device 104, the bidirectional communication link
110, and the third device 106 may be a slow Frequency Hopping Spread
Spectrum (FHSS), a Frequency Agility (FA), a Slow Frequency Agility (SFA)
communications network, or other appropriate network type.

[0015] Preferably, the frequency channels used with the bidirectional
communication link 110 are non-overlapping with the frequency channels
used with the wireless streaming link 108. However, the frequency
channels may overlap. If the frequency channels overlap, it may be
beneficial to use error correction and/or various transmission schemes
(e.g., streaming digital audio packets using a fast frequency hopping
scheme) to avoid disruptions.

[0016] In one example, the synchronous communication network includes at
least eight frequency channels. The asynchronous communication network
includes one or more frequency channels that are non-overlapping with the
at least eight frequency channels. However, it is understood that other
numbers of frequency channels may be used.

[0017] The second device 104 is designed to listen for the digital packets
transmitted by the first device 102 via the wireless streaming link 108.
Once synchronized to the stream, the second device 104 may listen for
data packets at specified timeslots on specified frequencies according to
a streaming protocol. For example, the second device 104 may listen for
the digital packets at evenly spaced intervals of time.

[0018] The second device 104 is also designed to listen for digital
requests from the third device 106 via the bidirectional communication
link 110. The second device 104 may listen for the digital requests from
the third device 106 at a rate slower than the rate that the second
device 104 receives digital packets from the first device 102. The slower
rate is due to the third device 106 using idle time of the wireless
streaming link 108 to communicate with the second device 104.

[0019] The first device 102 is any device that transmits digital packets.
For example, the digital packets may contain digital audio data. In one
example, the first device 102 is a wireless audio streamer connected to a
television, a radio, a sound system, a multimedia system, or a telephone.
In another example, the first device 102 is an assistive listening device
with audio streaming capabilities, for example, through audio in-line or
internal audio generation from memory (e.g., MP3). The first device 102
may also be a remote control, a programmer, a dongle, and so on.

[0020] The second device 104 may be a processor. If the first device 102
transmits digital packets containing digital audio data, the processor
may be a sound processor. As another example, the second device may be a
hearing prosthesis that includes a sound processor. This non-limiting
example is depicted in FIG. 2.

[0021] The third device 106 is a device that can control, adjust, program,
and/or change a parameter of the second device 104. For example, the
third device 106 may be a remote control, a programmer, a dongle, or a
mobile telephone (e.g., a smartphone). The example of a remote control is
described with respect to FIG. 2.

[0022] The programmer, dongle, or mobile telephone may include the same
wireless hardware (i.e., physical layer) as the remote control. The
programmer may be designed to reprogram the second device 104, at least
partially, after synchronizing with the second device 104. The dongle may
be located on a personal computer (or other computing device) and be
designed to control, adjust, and/or program the second device 104. The
smartphone may be designed to control and/or change a parameter of the
second device 104.

[0023]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system 200. The system 200 includes
a hearing prosthesis 202, a transmitter 220, and a remote control 230.
The system 200 is just one example of a system that allows a third device
to break-in to communications with a second device that is already
receiving communications from a first device.

[0024] The hearing prosthesis 202 may be a cochlear implant, an acoustic
hearing aid, a bone anchored hearing aid or other vibration-based hearing
prosthesis, a direct acoustic stimulation prosthesis, an auditory brain
stem implant, or any other type of hearing prosthesis now known or later
developed that is configured to aid a prosthesis recipient in hearing
sound.

[0025] The hearing prosthesis 202 includes a data interface 204, a
microphone 206, a sound processor 208, an output signal interface 210,
data storage 212, and a power supply 214 all of which may be connected
directly or indirectly via circuitry 216. The hearing prosthesis 202 may
have additional or fewer components than the prosthesis shown in FIG. 2.
Additionally, the components may be arranged differently than shown in
FIG. 2.

[0026] The data interface 204 may be any type of wired or wireless
communications interface now known or later developed that can be
configured to send and/or receive data. In operation, the data interface
204 is configured to send and/or receive data to and/or from an external
device. The data interface 204 is configured to receive data from the
transmitter 220 and to send data to and receive data from the remote
control 230. For example, the data interface 204 receives audio data from
the transmitter 220 and control data from the remote control 230. The
audio data represents sounds. The control data is used to control the
operation of the hearing prosthesis 202 or to request the operational
status of the hearing prosthesis 202.

[0027] The microphone 206 of the hearing prosthesis 202 may be an external
microphone, a partially-implanted microphone, or a fully-implanted
microphone. The microphone 206 may be configured to detect external sound
waves and generate electrical signals based at least in part on the
external sound waves for analysis by the sound processor 208.

[0028] The sound processor 208 is configured to receive electrical signals
from the microphone 206, and generate instructions for generating and
applying output signals to the recipient's ear via the output signal
interface 210. The output signal interface 210 is configured to generate
and apply the output signals to the recipient's ear based on the
instructions received from the sound processor 208.

[0029] In examples where the hearing prosthesis 202 is a cochlear implant,
the output signal interface 210 may include an array of electrodes, and
the output signals may be a plurality of electrical stimulation signals
applied to the recipient's cochlea via the array of electrodes (not
shown). In examples where the hearing prosthesis 202 is a direct acoustic
stimulator, the output signal interface 210 may include a mechanical
actuator, and the output signals may be a plurality of mechanical
vibrations applied to the recipient's middle and/or inner ear via the
mechanical actuator (not shown). In examples where the hearing prosthesis
202 is an acoustic hearing aid, the output signals interface 210 may be a
speaker, and the output signals may be a plurality of acoustic signals
applied to the recipient's outer or middle ear via the speaker (not
shown). In examples where the hearing prosthesis 202 is a bone-anchored
hearing aid or other type of mechanical vibration based hearing
prosthesis, the output signal interface 210 may include a mechanical
actuator (not shown), and the output signals may be a plurality of
mechanical vibrations applied to the recipient's skull, teeth, or other
cranial and/or facial bone via the mechanical actuator. In examples
wherein the hearing prosthesis 202 is an auditory brain stem implant, the
output signal interface 210 may include an array of electrodes, and the
output signals may be a plurality of electrical signals applied to the
recipient's brain stem via the array of electrodes.

[0030] The data storage 212 can be any type of non-transitory, tangible,
computer readable media now known or later developed that can be
configured to store program code for execution by the hearing prosthesis
202 and/or other data associated with the hearing prosthesis 202.

[0031] The power supply 214 supplies power to various components of the
hearing prosthesis 202. The power supply 214 may be any suitable power
supply, such as a non-rechargeable or rechargeable battery. The hearing
prosthesis 202 is power sensitive because power losses occur during the
transfer of power to the implantable components of the hearing prosthesis
202. The amount of power loss is related to the skin thickness of the
recipient. For example, if the hearing prosthesis 202 is a cochlear
implant, power losses occur when transferring power to the array of
electrodes.

[0032] Due to these power losses, power consumption is a critical
operational factor for the hearing prosthesis 202. Some devices emit
synchronization signals (sometimes referred to as beacons) that allow
other devices to synchronize with the device broadcasting the beacon. The
hearing prosthesis 202 saves power by eliminating the need for beacons.

[0033] The transmitter 220 may be any device that transmits digital
packets 222 to the hearing prosthesis 202. The transmitter 220 is a
combination of hardware and software components. In one example, the
transmitter 220 includes a processor, non-volatile memory storage device
for storing software and possibly other information, and an antenna for
transmitting digital packets over a wireless streaming link 222. The
transmitter 220 is not limited to any particular transmitter design. For
example, the transmitter 220 may be a commercially available wireless
audio streamer or an assistive listening device.

[0034] The remote control 230 may be any device operable to communicate
over a wireless communication link 232 in a bidirectional manner with the
hearing prosthesis 202. The remote control 230 is a combination of
hardware and software components. In one example, the remote control 230
includes a processor, non-volatile memory storage device for storing
software and possibly other information, and a transceiver for
transmitting and receiving digital packets over the bidirectional
communication link 232.

[0035] The remote control 230 sends control signals to the hearing
prosthesis 202 to control the operation of the hearing prosthesis 202. In
response, the hearing prosthesis 202 changes operational settings, such
as sensitivity, volume, and mixing ratio. The remote control 230 also
sends control signals to the hearing prosthesis 202 to request status
information, such as the status of the power supply 214, the microphone
206, and connections of the hearing prosthesis 202. In response, the
hearing prosthesis 202 sends the remote control 230 status information
regarding settings, battery alarms, diagnostic errors, and so on.

[0036] The remote control 230 may be used by a recipient of the hearing
prosthesis 202. Additionally or alternatively, the remote control 230 may
be used by a parent or other person, such as a clinician. For example,
the recipient of the hearing prosthesis 202 may be a child and a parent
may use the remote control 230 to verify that the hearing prosthesis 202
is properly functioning and that the child can hear.

[0037] Prior to operation, the remote control 230 is associated (sometimes
referred to as "paired") with the hearing prosthesis 202. The remote
control 230 includes a software program that instructs the recipient how
to associate the remote control 230 with the hearing prosthesis 202.
During pairing, the remote control 230 and the hearing prosthesis 202
agree to communicate with each other by exchanging addresses or passkeys.
After the remote control 230 is associated with the hearing prosthesis
202, the hearing prosthesis 202 and the remote control 230 may
communicate with each other.

[0038] The hearing prosthesis 202 is also paired with the transmitter 220.
However, the remote control 230 is not paired with the transmitter 220.
In fact, the remote control 230 may be unaware of the existence of the
transmitter 220. Moreover, if the remote control 230 were to scan for
wireless transmitters communicating with the hearing prosthesis 202, the
remote control 230 may not detect the transmitters if they were out of
range of the remote control 230, but not the hearing prosthesis 202.

[0039] While the transmitter 220 is streaming digital packets over the
wireless streaming link 222 to the hearing prosthesis 202, the remote
control 230 wants to communicate with the hearing prosthesis 202. Because
the remote control 230 may be unaware that the transmitter 220 is
streaming digital packets over the wireless streaming link 222 to the
hearing prosthesis 202, the remote control 230 needs to be able to
communicate with the hearing prosthesis 202 in a manner that is
independent of and does not interfere with the communications between the
transmitter 220 and the hearing prosthesis 202. Because the hearing
prosthesis 202 is not broadcasting a beacon signal for synchronization,
the remote control 230 needs to synchronize itself with the sound
processor 208 of the hearing prosthesis 202. This process is described
with respect to FIGS. 3-4. Notably, this process also works when the
transmitter 220 is inactive.

[0040]FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method 300. The method 300 allows a
device to break into communications over a wireless streaming link
between two other devices. While the system 200 is used for purposes of
describing the method 300, it is understood that other devices may be
used.

[0041] At block 302, the remote control 230 sends a synchronization
request packet to the hearing prosthesis 202. At block 304, the remote
control 230 determines whether it has received an acknowledgement signal
from the hearing prosthesis 202. If not, the remote control 230 continues
to send synchronization request packets until receiving an
acknowledgement signal.

[0042] This portion of the method 300 may be described as the
non-synchronized phase. During the non-synchronized phase, the remote
control 230 attempts to synchronize with the sound processor 208 of the
hearing prosthesis 202. The remote control 230 may send multiple
synchronization request packets in quick succession to the hearing
prosthesis 202.

[0043] The remote control 230 may use a timing pattern for sending the
synchronization packets that is designed to facilitate aligning the
request with time slots not used for reception of digital packets by the
hearing prosthesis 202. Additionally, the timing pattern is designed to
account for the timing characteristics of the wireless streaming link
222. The timing pattern includes sequence length, packet spacing, and
frequency composition.

[0044] For example, the remote control 230 may use multiple frequencies.
The frequencies may be chosen such that they are different than the
frequencies used by the transmitter 220. Alternatively, the transmitter
220 and the remote control 230 may use the same frequencies and avoid
disruptions using error correction and/or a fast frequency hopping
scheme. As another example, the receive window for break-in packets on
the sound processor 208 is slightly larger than the on-air transmission
time to improve responsiveness.

[0045] Returning to FIG. 3, at block 304, the remote control 230 checks
for an incoming acknowledgement signal from the hearing prosthesis 202.
The hearing prosthesis 202 would only send the acknowledgement signal
once a transmit slot of the remote control 230 aligns with a receive
window of the sound processor 208. The receipt of the acknowledgement
signal ends the non-synchronized phase. The remote control 230 stops
sending synchronization request packets, and starts the synchronized
phase.

[0046] At block 306, the remote control 230 waits for the next data
receive window of the sound processor 208. After synchronizing with the
sound processor 208, the remote control 230 knows when to expect the next
data receive window.

[0047] At block 308, the remote control 230 sends a command request packet
during the data receive window. Alternatively, the remote control 230 may
send multiple command request packets before, during, and after the data
receive window to increase the likelihood that the command request
packets are received by the sound processor 208.

[0048] At block 310, the remote control 230 receives a response from the
sound processor 208. The sound processor 208 receives the command request
packet and generates a response to the request. The remote control 230
receives the generated response in the next data timeslot.

[0049]FIG. 4 is a timing diagram 400 that shows communications between
the processor 402 and a third device 406 while a transmitter 404 is
communicating with the processor 402. The third device 406 may be unaware
that the transmitter 404 is communicating with the processor 402. The
processor 402 and the transmitter 404 are synchronized. The transmitter
404 transmits (TX) data packets to the processor 402, which receives (RX)
the data packets over the wireless streaming link (STR). In this example,
the transmitter 404 is idle every fourth frame. During the fourth frame,
the processor 402 is available to listen for other data transmissions.

[0050] The third device 406 transmits a series of synchronization request
packets (SY) to the processor 402 during a non-synchronized phase 408. As
seen in FIG. 4, the third device 406 sends a request packet (TX) and
listens for a response (RX) multiple times in quick succession. The
listening period is as short as possible without impacting the third
device's ability to detect a response. Additionally, the third device 406
transmits the request packets at multiple frequencies (e.g., fa,
fa+1, fa+2, fa+3). This continues until a receive window
of the processor 402 aligns with one of the third device's transmit
slots.

[0051] This alignment occurs during the second idle frame shown in FIG. 4
at frequency fa. The processor 402 acknowledges the synchronization
request by sending a reply packet to the third device 406. Upon receiving
the reply packet, the third device 406 stops transmitting the
synchronization request packets.

[0052] At this point, the third device 406 enters the synchronized phase
410. The third device 406 waits (WAIT) for the processor's next data
receive window and then transmits a command request (REQ). The third
device 406 transmits the command request at frequency fa. The
processor 402 receives the command request in the data receive window and
transmits a response to the third device 406 in the next data receive
window.

[0053] The method 300 allows both the transmitter 220 and the remote
control 230 to communicate with the sound processor 208 at the same time.
Additionally, the remote control 230 can communicate with the sound
processor 208 in a bidirectional manner. Also, the remote control's
communication with the sound processor 208 does not interfere with the
digital packets that the sound processor 208 receives from the
transmitter 220.

[0054] Moreover, the method 300 allows the remote control 230 to
synchronize with the sound processor 208 without the sound processor 208
transmitting beacon signals that the remote control 230 could use to
synchronize with the sound processor 208. The hearing prosthesis 202
saves power by not having to broadcast beacon signals. Moreover, beacon
signals are problematic on airplanes as devices transmitting wireless
signals are required to be turned off during taxiing and flight. When the
hearing prosthesis 202 has to be turned off during flight mode, the
recipient of the hearing prosthesis 202 cannot hear.

[0055] The remote control 230 also enjoys a power savings when a beacon is
not used for synchronization as it does not need to be synchronized with
the sound processor 208 at all times. Instead, the remote control 230 may
be turned off when not in use. Additionally, the remote control 230 saves
power by not scanning for wireless transmitters in order to find
communication gaps.

[0056] It is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded
as illustrative rather than limiting and that it is understood that the
following claims including all equivalents are intended to define the
scope of the invention. The claims should not be read as limited to the
described order or elements unless stated to that effect. Therefore, all
embodiments that come within the scope and spirit of the following claims
and equivalents thereto are claimed as the invention.

Patent applications by Rami Banna, Sydney AU

Patent applications by Werner Meskins, Opwijk BE

Patent applications in class Remote control, wireless, or alarm

Patent applications in all subclasses Remote control, wireless, or alarm